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Latest News & Events
Yaama! We are so excited that in just over a month we will be joined by these amazing artists, cultural educators and Blak businesses at our Sorry Day Stolen Generations Community Gathering 2024! Join us on Sunday 26th May on Gadigal Country and listen to the beautiful sounds of Emily Wurramara, Castlereagh Connections, Isaac Compton and Djinama Yilaga Choir. Immerse in First Nations culture through dance, weaving, bush foods, and educational yarns. Support First Nations business and pick up some deadly goods from our retail stalls. Commemorate and honour our Stolen Generations Survivors by experiencing the Coota Girls Commemorative Walk and KBHAC Educational Bus. And let’s not forget all the activities for our jarjums from games with Wanyara and hands-on learning with Koori Kinnections to incredible face painting!![]()
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Keep an eye out for more updates!![]()
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Artwork by Sofii McKenzie-Kirkbright 💜
Last week, Coota Girls Aboriginal Corporation took a massive step in our Language reclamation journey by hosting our very first On Country Language and Culture Gathering for our Stolen Generations Survivors and descendants. ![]()
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In the Cootamundra Domestic Training Home for Aboriginal Girls (191201969), speaking Language was forbidden and punishable. This severed connection to culture and identity, not only for our Survivors but for their future generations. At this Language and Culture Gathering on Gumbaynggirr Country, our group of Coota Girls Survivors had the incredibly healing experience of learning their Language for the first time, guided by amazing Gumbaynggirr, Gamilaraay and Wiradjuri Language speakers to reconnect with their culture and identity. ![]()
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“Learning language brought back a lot of my own memories. The whole event was awesome” - Coota Girls Survivor![]()
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“I loved learning my language for the first time. This retreat went beyond my expectations - I have learnt so much more than I ever imagined. Such a special experience having my son be a part of such a beautiful cultural experience” - Coota Girls descendant![]()
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We thank our participants for joining us on this journey, our Language mentors Nathan, Jayden, Reuben and Tracy for generously sharing your knowledge, and all the mob on Gumbaynggirr Country who welcomed us with open arms. ![]()
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Are you a Coota Girls Survivor or descendant looking to reconnect with your Language? For those who sadly missed out this time, there will be opportunities to attend future On Country Language and Culture Gatherings. Express your interest by emailing Meagan at meagan@cootagirls.org.au and keep an eye out for upcoming announcements of more Language learning opportunities.![]()
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Supported by Aboriginal Languages Trust
Yaama to our beautiful Coota Girls community! Our team will be away with a group of Coota Girls Survivors and descendants from Thursday 11th April to Monday 15th on our On Country Language and Culture Gathering. The Office and Keeping Place will be closed for this time and will reopen on Tuesday 16th April. Have a great weekend you mob!
Yaama to our Coota Girls family! Are you a Coota Girls Survivor or descendant living in the Southwest Sydney region? We would love for you to join us at our Coota Girls Yarn Up. Come along on Wednesday 1st May to yarn about your experiences with the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) and any local supports or services that you need, so that we can better meet the practical support needs of our Coota Girls community. Coota Girls staff will be available to yarn with you at the forum. Catered morning tea and lunch will be provided. Contact our team for details of location and venue – Call Laura on 0427 691 460 or email laura@cootagirls.org.au
A huge thank you to the deadly Pauline and Ash from UTS Jumbunna, who travelled to Worimi Country to facilitate a possum cloak making workshop at our Coota Girls Survivor Healing Retreat a couple of weeks ago. These possum cloaks tell the story of Coota Girls Survivors, their sisterhood, and their journeys of disconnection and reconnection to culture and their true identities. We can’t wait to see these cloaks come together as beautiful gifts for our Aunties.
